By Emmanuel Awari -Jalingo
Former Vice President of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Taraba State, Comrade Architect Yabkwa Rimamnyang Usman, has commended Governor Agbu Kefas for commencing the payment of long-standing salary arrears owed local government workers in the state by former administration.
Yabkwa, who is also the Coordinator of Former NULGE Officials in Taraba State, described the move as a commendable gesture towards workers and retirees who had endured years of hardship over unpaid entitlements by previous administration before the coming of Dr Agbu Kefas into office.
According to him, Governor Kefas has demonstrated concern for the plight of workers by taking concrete steps to address the outstanding obligations despite the fact that it was the negligence of his predecessors
“I, Comrade Architect Yabkwa Rimamnyang Usman, former Vice President of NULGE in Taraba State, applaud Governor Kefas for this good gesture. He has shown sympathy and concern for the plight of local government workers by taking steps to address the salary arrears.”»
Yabkwa, who designed and built the NULGE headquarters in Taraba State, disclosed that he had mobilised former NULGE officials and retired colleagues across the state to support the governor ahead of the 2027 election.
He pointed out that former NULGE officials have a strong network across the state, with members spread across local governments, wards and polling units, which he said would be mobilised in support of Governor Kefas.
“We have our members in every local government, every ward and every polling unit. We will mobilise them and make sure that Governor Kefas comes back to office in 2027.”»
While endorsing the governor’s efforts on workers welfare, the former NULGE leader urged the administration to sustain the momentum and intensify the implementation of its infrastructure projects.
He particularly appealed to the government to engage contractors handling major projects to increase the pace of work and ensure timely completion.
Yabkwa said the former NULGE officials’ support was informed by what he described as Governor Kefas’ demonstrated commitment to addressing issues affecting ordinary workers.
He reaffirmed their support for the governor and called on the administration to continue prioritising workers welfare, infrastructure development and policies that directly improve the lives of citizens.
Recall that Governor Agbu Kefas approved the payment of five months salary arrears owed since 2015 which was eleven years ago.
“I decided to pay after eleven years because it is bad to stress workers and retirees who struggled to feed and provide for their respective families.
Dr Agbu Kefas’ approval of the immediate payment of five (5) months’ salary arrears owed to local government workers across Taraba State is one of such decision. It is not merely the settlement of outstanding salaries; it is the restoration of hope, dignity, and confidence in government.
The approval covers two (2) months of arrears inherited from the administration of Senator Sani Danladi during his tenure as Acting Governor in 2014 and three (3) months inherited from the administration of former Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku between 2015 and 2023. These were liabilities accumulated over different administrations, yet they have found resolution under one leadership.
Governor, Agbu Kefas on Tuesday flagged off the payment of five months salary arrears to local government retirees and workers across the sixteen LG areas of the state.
Kefas while speaking during the flagged off in Ardo-Kola LGA of the state said the five months salary arrears was owed by the previous administration.
Kefas, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Bureau for Local Government, Traditions and Chieftaincy Affairs, Engr Andrew Godfrey Dame hinted that the decision of the governor to offset the payment of outstanding five months salary arrears owned by past administrations was not political.
“I want Tarabans and indeed Nigerians to know that my decision to pay the salary arrears of all local government workers was not political but to give local government workers and retirees their due benefit.
“The payment will be made to workers on instalment basis, we are commencing with the payment of month and when things improve, we will pay the remaining months” he said.
He tasked Council Chairman across the state to be transparent and ensured that even the children of those who have died get theirs.
The beneficiaries include local government workers, primary school teachers, traditional council staff, and local government pensioners; the very people whose services sustain governance at the grassroots.